Heiress: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is typically used to refer to a woman who is set to inherit a significant amount of wealth or property, often from a family member.

• After her father's death, she became the sole heiress of the family estate.
• The young heiress was featured in many gossip magazines.

This is a formal and somewhat archaic term used to refer to a female heir, more common in legal or historical contexts.

• The document stated that she was the inheritrix of all her mother's properties.
• As the inheritrix, she had a rightful claim to the family title.

This term is used when a woman is the clear and undisputed heir to a title or estate, and her claim cannot be challenged unless she dies or renounces it.

• As the heiress apparent, she already started managing parts of the family business.
• The heiress apparent attended the board meeting to prepare for her future responsibilities.

Use this phrase when a woman is expected to inherit a title or estate but her claim could be displaced if a more eligible heir is born, such as a male heir in cases of male preference primogeniture.

• She was the heiress presumptive until her younger brother was born.
• Despite being the heiress presumptive, her position was always uncertain.

See above for the duplicate entry.

Applicable when referring to someone who follows another in a position, office, or role, emphasizing continuation, not limited to family-related inheritance.

• She was appointed as the successor to the retiring CEO.
• The new king was the rightful successor after the abdication of the previous monarch.

Appropriate when mentioning a person who receives property, titles, or rights upon someone’s death, focusing more on the action of inheriting rather than the wealth or gender.

• He became the inheritor of his grandfather's land and business.
• As the sole inheritor, she had to handle all the legal paperwork.

Suitable when describing someone who receives advantages or benefits from something, often in legal or financial contexts such as wills, trusts, or insurance policies.

• She was named as the primary beneficiary in her uncle's will.
• The nonprofit organization was a major beneficiary of the company's charitable donations.